Govt committed to ensure media freedom: President

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Press Council of Pakistan led by its Chairman Raja M. Shafqat Khan Abbasi called on President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad Thursday. The chairman PCP briefed the president about role‚ mandate‚ activities and achievements of the Press Council of Pakistan.

President said the government recognises and respects the critical role of the media as a fourth pillar of the state. He reiterated Government’s firm commitment towards ensuring freedom of the media and facilitating journalists and media practitioners in pursuit of their professional duties.

The President said that media has important role to play towards socio-economic development of the country, strengthening democracy, promoting good governance and complementing efforts aimed at overcoming the existing challenges. The President during the meeting also highlighted the various efforts and steps being taken by the government to address the challenges at various fronts and expressed hope that sincere efforts of the Government would result in peace, stability and progress of the country and resultantly socio-economic prosperity of the people of Pakistan .

The President appreciated the efforts of Press Council of Pakistan towards ensuring highest professional and ethical standards of newspapers and news agencies and implementing the Ethical Code of Practice for the press while upholding the freedom of media in the country. Chairman PCP, Raja M. Shafqat Khan Abbasi presented to the President the annual report of the Press council of Pakistan. The President later also hosted lunch for the members of the Press Council of Pakistan.